Budget UK ISP TalkTalk, which back in October 2021 signed a contract to harness Netgem‘s pay TV platform (here), has begun to offer a related “TV 4K Box” device for certain customers as part of a “test“. But it’s currently only available to those on their “Future Fibre” (FTTP) broadband plans (Openreach, CityFibre etc.).
The provider is known to have adopted Netgem’s new managed “Content as a Service” platform, which can operate across a wider range of devices. However, so far as we can tell, the new “TV 4K Box” appears to be visually the same as the ones that Netgem’s other UK partner ISPs (e.g. CommunityFibre) are currently shipping to customers.
According to TalkTalk’s TV Test page (credits to one of our readers – Maurice – for spotting this), the new set-top-box supports 30 streaming Apps and On Demand players, 4K (UltraHD), WiFi and various other features (see below). In addition, it can be connected to your TV ariel to access the Freeview channels.
The box itself also ships with a black 1.5 metre HDMI cable, a remote control (2 x AAA batteries included) and a power supply with a 1.5 metre cord.
30 streaming apps and On Demand players
One easy search covers all platforms
Voice control via Amazon Alexa or Echo
4K Ultra HD viewing capabilities
Wi-Fi enabled – no more cables to your router
So far as we can tell, TalkTalk continue to charge the same to add the Netgem based TV kit to a broadband package as their existing set-top-boxes. At present this is discounted to just £2 per month extra (normally £4) on an 18-month minimum contract term, which obviously doesn’t include the cost of any other streaming subscriptions you might have.
We’ve managed to get a few more details, including a full spec sheet for the box.
TalkTalk TV 4K Box Specification
CPU & MEMORY ● Processor: BCM 72604 ● DMIPS: 7K dual core ● 3D graphics: OpenGL ES 3.0 ● System flash: 4GB eMMC ● RAM: 2GB DDR4
AUDIO / VIDEO ● Resolution: 4K@60 (UHD 3840×2160 p50/60) ● HDR10, HLG, Hardware Color Conversion ● Video decoder: HEVC/H265 (4Kp60-10bit Profiles 4.1 5.0 5.1), VP9 (4Kp60-10bit Profiles 0 and 2), AVC/H264 (1080p60, level 4.2), MPEG-2 ● Audio decoder: MPEG-1/2 layer I/II/III, AAC/MPEG-4, HE-AAC, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital+, Dolby ATMOS passthrough
SECURITY ● HDCP 2.2 over HDMI ● Hardware compatible with all major CAS and DRM (MS PlayReady, Verimatrix …) ● Watermarking (Civolution, Verimatrix)
CONNECTIVITY ● HDMI 2.0 (UHD) with CEC and ARC ● S/PDIF digital audio out (optical) ● USB 2.0 Type A (500mA) support for USB HDD ● Ethernet 10/100 BaseT ● Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac 2×2 dual band (2.4GHz – 5GHz) with Access Point mode ● DVB frontend T2+T+C ● Infrared receiver for Standard Remote Control ● Bluetooth for Voice Remote control ● Bicolor LED on front panel (Blue/red)
DIMENSIONS ● 128x128x38mm, rounded corners
POWER ● External power supply – In: 200-240V AC – Out: DC 12V 1.5A (TBD) ● Power consumption: typical < 10W ● Low power mode: < 0.5W
CERTIFICATIONS ● CE ● RoHS ● EU Code of Conduct
According to TalkTalk, you can record live Freeview channels on the box by plugging in a memory stick (minimum size of 32GB is required from your USB stick) and next year they’ll be making it possible to add subscription services to your TalkTalk bill, so it’s all in one easy to manage place.
The TalkTalk TV 4K Box is said to be “full of inclusive content with hundreds of movies and boxsets not available on other Pay TV platforms“, from an array of partnerships with growing services such as Filmzie, Plex, W4 Free and more. You can also access some streaming offers (e.g. they’re currently offering 3 months of Mubi for only £1, saving you almost £30).
What exactly are you getting with this that you can’t get by just buying a Chromecast or Fire TV stick?
The only significant difference I can see is Freeview with Pause/rewind support, although to use it as a DVR you need to add your own storage.
You don’t need Pause/rewind in Freeview, just turn the TV on the next day and you’ll see the same repeated.
You may be stuck in a Groundhog Day loop.
I can’t quite work out what the benefit of this is and why you would want to pay £2 (£4 normally) for something most TVs can do without plugging an extra box in. I realise not all TVs are smart but even if yours isn’t the addition of a FireTV or Chromecast (for about £49) will get you everything there. Also I always worry when a new TV option is promoted as 4K UHD when there are no 4K channels on Freeview and Now is only in 720p as standard. You’re gonna need a Netflix 4K sub or Prime Video sub to get any 4K content on the box. Unless of course there are some 4K IP channels they aren’t telling us about. Plus if you want to add the ability to pause and rewind live tv just stick a hdd into the USB port of your TV. Failing that if you’re feeling adventurous and have a NAS you can always setup a HD homeRun duo and Plex, it’s not that hard and you get all the freeview channels over IP wherever you are in the world and you have live TV on your FireTV so it’s all in one place.
I can understand why Talk Talk have got rid of You View, it is an old system that was not great when it was launched, Plusnet have got rid of their TV service, to be honest, I don’t see the need for broadband providers to offer these things now. Most modern TV sets have a lot of these features built in, if I used Freeview on my Tv I could stick a USB drive in it to record and there are loads of apps on it. A Manhattan box is available for around £120 these days that can record two things at the same time, not that there is any need to, with so many repeats on TV, which is why I don’t watch it, plus catch up TV.
Is this just a cost for the hardware or are you getting the Netgem bundle that includes the extra IP channels?
lets face it , its slow and crap quality
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Netgem customers cannot get Netflix or NOW TV apps, which looks like a backward step compared with TalkTalk’s Youview.
Just Great for TalkTalk customers!
More TV shows and movies to watch on TalkTalk TV, just for a good value!
(Jul 28, 2021) “The Netgem Netbox 4K device has been a great improvement to the vareity of TV shows and movies, me and my family watch on TV. The box has a wide range of apps to select from, in fact BT Sport was recently added in the past month or so.”
See 128 real user reviews of Netgem.TV at trustpilot.com/review/netgem.tv
See 128 real user reviews of Netgem.TV at https://www.trustpilot.com/review/netgem.tv
The testing phase is over! Available on the official page from today, Monday, 12-13-2021
See: https://new.talktalk.co.uk/tv-fibre-broadband
=> TALKTALK TV 4K BOX ! The ultimate viewing experience, powered by Netgem TV. With its jaw-dropping features, our TalkTalk TV 4K Box levels up entertainment for everyone. Available with Future Fibre broadband plans only.
.30 streaming apps and On Demand players .One easy search covers all platforms .Control your TV via Amazon Alexa or Echo devices .4K Ultra HD viewing capabilities .Wi-Fi enabled – no more cables to your router .70+ live channels .Pause and rewind TV
The TalkTalk TV 4K app, powered by Netgem TV, is available to TalkTalk TV 4K Box customers only. You must have a TalkTalk TV 4K Box to use the app.
Your perfect companion app for your TalkTalk TV 4K Box
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/talktalk-tv-4k/id1570315047
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